Tribute & Message From The Family
Message From The Family
Thank you for your support during this difficult time.
Please enhance this tribute to Babe by adding your memories.
Harold J. "Babe" Hayes died at the VA Hospital in Bedford on April 22, 2020 at the age of 85, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, with family by his side. Babe was born in Charlestown on July 2, 1934 to the late Harold & Mary (Noonan) Hayes. He was raised in Charlestown and graduated from Don Bosco High School, Class of 1952.
After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corp and served his country with pride as a Sergeant during the Korean Conflict from 1952 – 1955. Babe worked for the M.B.T.A. for 30 years, a member of Machinist Local 264. Babe raised his family in Malden and resided in Melrose when he retired.
Babe's generosity of spirit left a mark on all of those whose paths he crossed. His selfless devotion to his children and grandchildren (and their friends) was limitless. He gave those he loved the gift of his time and attention. His neighbors will recall him as the guy who would snow-blow his driveway and then take care of the rest of the block as well. Babe never expected anything in return for his generosity or kindness. He simply did what he felt were the right things to do. Even toward the end of his life, when Alzheimer's had taken from him his ability to recall those that loved him most, he remained a considerate, polite, and thankful patient to his caregivers at the Bedford Veteran's Hospital This is the legacy of a good man.
Babe loved spending summers in Wolfeboro, NH with his family. He also enjoyed some winters in Naples Florida. Fishing was one of his passions and he spent countless hours on Crescent Lake sharing that love with his children & grandchildren.
Harold was the beloved husband of 63 years to Patricia A. (Lynch) Hayes. Loving father of Carol O'Brien & her husband John of Malden, Denise Fitzgerald & Mark Fitzgerald of Andover, Jeanne McNiff & her husband James of Stoneham, the late William J. Hayes and his wife Denise of Paxton. Caring brother of Mary (Hayes) Littlewood of Malden and the late Kathleen (Hayes) Puopolo and Francis "Skippy" Hayes.
Papa leaves behind his 11 grandchildren who were his world . Michael O'Brien & wife Jennifer of Wakefield, Lauren Acevedo & husband Charlie Acevedo of Londonderry, NH, Caitlin DeMartino & husband James of Wakefield, Shannon Fitzgerald of Andover, Alysia DeMartino & husband Joseph of North Andover. Ryan Hayes & wife Courtney of Worcester, Mark Fitzgerald (USMC) of Andover, Dylan McNiff Panzarella & Rachel of Clinton & Jessica, Michael & Kayla McNiff of Stoneham.
Papa Babe leaves behind his 12 beautiful great grandchildren, Abby & Ava O'Brien, Isabelle & Karlie Acevedo, Lilah & Duke DeMartino, Hailey, William & Violet DeMartino, Jameson Hayes, Meredith & Emilia Panzarella.
Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews & friends.
We want to thank the staff from the Bedford VA for their exceptional and compassionate care that they gave to Babe. They went above and beyond while also supporting his family. We will forever be grateful.
Visitation & Funeral are private due to COVID 19 restrictions. A celebration of Babe's life will be held at a later date.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Harold's name to the Alzheimer's Association
https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=618261
Thank you to everyone for all your love & prayers during these years. Please send the family a message of condolence on this webpage!
Condolence & Memory Journal
You are a man that I admired, the way you loved, provided and protected your family. You served your Country in it's time of need.
I can never thank you enough for opening your home to me . I will be forever indebted to you, Pat and your family for all of your kindness.
Rest in eternal peace , you earned it .
Posted by
friend June 10, 2022
Pat,Carol, Jeanne,Denise,
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Babe. He was such a kind, caring, gentle and loving man. So many wonderful memories of seeing him on Highland Ave. and on so many Wolfeboro vacations. A favorite memory for Steve and I ... when our girls were babies..he came out of his motel unit and over to our place and offered to wheel the baby carriage to get our baby (Kathleen) to sleep ,
so we could take a break. He was always so thoughtful!
Babe..may you rest in peace...you will be missed by so many.
Posted by
Gina Farrell May 02, 2020
To Jeannie, Jimmy, Carol, John, Denise, Mark, wife Patricia and the rest of your family. What a wonderful tribute to your fathers life. Such great memories you all had together. Our sincere condolences. Love Brenda and Spencer.
Posted by
Brenda Mayers Walsh - Beverly, MA - Friend May 01, 2020
My condolences go out to Jeanie , carol , John , and all of his family and friends . This was a beautiful tribute of pictures that you shared . What a great way to get a view into his life . May he Rest In the sweetest peace and his family find comfort . He will be greatly missed by his VA family
Posted by
Sara Iacono - Bedford, MA - Friend April 27, 2020
Babe was a great person and a good neighbor,he will be missed by us all for sure.my heart goes out to all his family.semper fi may he rest in peace
Posted by
paul sheehan - naples, FL - Neighbor April 27, 2020
Jeanne & Carol,
So sorry we lost our Dad. We were so lucky to have such a great Man as our Dad ❤
The unconditional love, support, kindness he gave to us. Lives on in us. Especially his Strength. I see in it both of you ❤
Thank you so much for being there.
Jeannie Thank you for the comfort you gave to us knowing Dad was receiving the best care. You are Amazing ! I can never even put into words.
I will see you both soon
Love,
Denise
Posted by
Denise Fitzgerald - Naples, FL - Daughter April 27, 2020
pat and babe were a great couple, glad their lives together
were so fulfilling...I am sure many friends will be missing him daily
Posted by
veronica brown - billerica, MA - Family Friend April 26, 2020
To your entire family, Your family was the greatest neighbors that anyone could ever have, Babe was the epitome of a gentleman and every member of his family was a recipient of that gene. I am so sorry.
Posted by
Paul Herbert - Malden, MA April 25, 2020
RIP Babe, condolences to Carol and the entire Hayes family. - Paul & Chris DiPietro
Posted by
A friend April 25, 2020
Carol, our sincerest sympathies to you and your family. Babe was such a nice person a d that's a great legacy to leave.
Prayers and sympathies.
Love, Butch and Carol
Posted by
Burch and Carol Sasso - Methuen, MA - Friend April 25, 2020
To all of Babe's beautiful family, we are truly sorry for your loss. God bless you all xx
Posted by
Stephen & Peg Hayes - Carver, MA - Family April 25, 2020
Dear Pat, Carol , Denise and Jeanne ,Babes struggle is over . May he Rest In Peace with Billy . His legacy of his family lives on . With love and condolences , Ginny & Gary
Posted by
Ginny MacDonald - Worcester, MA - Friend April 25, 2020
Our condolences to Pat and all of Babe's family.
Semper fidelis,
Butch & Jean McLean
The Pars...Naples Fl.
Posted by
A friend April 25, 2020
I have fond memories of sitting in the circle at Towne Estates in Melrose with Babe, Pat, Mary and my husband and I. Babe loved to talk about the military with my husband as both had served our country. Our deepest condolences to your family at this difficult time.
Posted by
Kathy and Chuck Childress - Peabody, MA - Neighbor April 25, 2020
So sorry for your loss, Babe was such great guy.My mother and father loved him.I used to like watching him take all the kids out fishing on Creasant lake,what a great father ,grandfather may he rest in peace.
Posted by
Bob ONeil - Burlington, MA - Family April 24, 2020
I met Babe when I started Dating Carol in 1977. In 43 years of knowing Babe and being his son-in-law I have never met a kinder man. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. No one cared for his family more Babe. What an example he has set for us in his quiet way. I am blessed to be part of HIS family
Rest in Peace Babe
John O'Brien
Posted by
John O'Brien - Malden, MA - Family April 24, 2020
I am so sorry to learn of Mr. Hayes passing. So many wonderful memories of him. He always had a smile and was the best neighbor I could hope for. It was a sad day when they moved. An even sadder day today. I can only imagine your pain. Your family are all in my prayers.
Posted by
DAWNA KORETSKY SHARPE - PORT ST LUCIE, FL - Neighbor April 24, 2020
Sincere sympathy to Jeanne Jimmy and all the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. Rest in Peace.
Posted by
Bernadette McNally - Stoneham, MA - Friend April 24, 2020
Words are inadequate to express our feelings and live of Babe. He was our role model: a loving husband and father, a devoted grandfather, a true friend. Always there to help and guide. He will always live on in all of our hearts and our good deeds
Posted by
Nancy and Mark Gilbert April 24, 2020
Babe was a classy gentleman and a good man. Always pleasant to be around. Family meant everything to him and he was the ultimate role model.
Steve and Diane O'Neil
Posted by
Steve O'Neil - Falmouth, MA - Family April 24, 2020
I Knew Babe when I was growing up. He was a Super Guy and was friends w alot of People. God Love Him. Rest in Peace
Posted by
John Connelly - Tewksbury, MA - Family Friend April 24, 2020
The Gately Family and Staff wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call on us at anytime as we are always available to you.
Posted by
John W. Gately, John H. Gately & Fred Sprague - Melrose, MA April 24, 2020
